Economic panel launches broadband assessment initiative
DOVER-FOXCROFT — In September the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) was awarded $120,000 for broadband internet planning from the Office of the Maine Attorney General, with the funds coming from consumer settlements the office reached with several wireless carriers. The council is now working with Axiom Technologies of Machias to conduct a survey of the region and a formal launch of the initiative aimed at economic and community development took place on Nov. 16 in the Piscataquis County Commissioners’ chambers.
“As you know the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council was awarded a grant with the help of Rep. (Norm) Higgins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) from the attorney general for broadband planning,” PCEDC Executive Director Chris Winstead said. He said Axiom Technologies was selected for the assessment based on the company’s history of finding “non-traditional, out of the box solutions for communities.”
“We are are going to have lots of information coming up on our Facebook page as well as our web page to keep people apprised as this process goes on,” Winstead said.
“We are the planning partner in the county for determining what your options are for greater broadband in the county, the entire county,” Axiom Technologies President Mark Ouellette said. “At the end of this process we are hoping to give you a report that shows you ways to move forward if you want to do that and some cost options.”
Ouellette said the first step is to “define your region, who you are planning for and how you are planning.” He said once this has been done Axiom Technologies will conduct a gap analysis of internet availability — working with providers and various private and public partnerships — and lack of access in the region. From there will be various methods of surveys of residents and businesses to see what their needs and wants are.
“All of that work feeds into an engineering study that really defines the nuts and bolts of what you are going to do,” he said. “We are out of the box thinkers and we think about costs because we know that’s really important, especially in rural Maine where we are.”
The broadband assessment will feature a digital inclusion component. Ouellette said this includes determining methods of providing affordable internet and equipment, digital literacy training and public computer access.
“So it’s always about money,” Ouellette said, saying Axiom Technologies will provide a list of different financial opportunities that could be available over the next year. “We are not a money tree but if you shake us a little bit you might get some information on funding sources available to you.”
Ouellette said support will be needed to get broadband improvements off the ground, comparing it to a political campaign for a project such as new fire truck or sewer line.
“I think it comes down to outreach and advocacy,” Winstead said. He said the commissioners asked him to go around the county to gauge support and all of the over dozen selectboards gave Winstead their approval for a countywide approach to broadband improvement.
The PCEDC executive director added, “We really want to hear from you the community members, this is our chance to light up the county.”
When asked about a timeframe for completing the study Ouellette said, “I would like to be able to deliver it to you in March.”
“What we are trying to do is give you solutions to very difficult problems,” he said. “The internet is becoming like sewer pipes, you have to have it.”
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
BROADBAND ASSESSMENT — Axiom Technologies President Mark Ouellette lays out the firm’s plans for conducting a broadband assessment in the county over the next few months during a launch for the initiative on Nov. 16 at the Piscataquis County Commissioners’ chambers in Dover-Foxcroft.